Spirit star ruled out of WNBL season-opener

Star Bendigo Bank Spirit recruit Renae Camino was last night ruled out of this weekend’s Women’s National Basketball League season-opening round with a calf tear.

Camino made herself unavailable for tomorrow night’s match in Adelaide and Saturday night’s game against West Coast in Perth at the advice of the club physiotherapist.

Camino is also doubtful for the Spirit’s second week on the road in round two against last season’s grand finalists Bulleen and Dandenong.

Although the star guard said her injury is a “slight tear”, Spirit coach Bernie Harrower is loath to risk a longer-term injury to this season’s SEABL MVP, who is one of the Spirit’s main attacking weapons.

Camino was restricted to jogging a couple of laps and performing some calf raises before icing her injury at the Bendigo Stadium showcourt last night.

The rest of the Spirit squad trained for the last time before the team leaves for Adelaide today.

Kelly Wilson, who has returned to Bendigo after a superb SEABL season with Knox, is hampered by a painful knee injury but will play.

Veteran point guard Kristi Harrower has encouraged Wilson and centre Gabe Richards to have blood injections into their troublesome knees to help them through the season.

Harrower has had the procedure carried out on her own Achilles and knee injuries several times and is considering another injection to help her through what is likely to be her final season of an illustrious career.

Both the Spirit’s matches this weekend tip-off at 7.30pm local time, while the club’s first home game is on October 20.